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The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 1998-08-08

The Reporter. (Akron, Ohio), 1998-08-08 page 1

| Tri-C Students l^lped Welcome Der^y Champs ^ N ? ?lje SUpnrter tgjjf Your Reporter Newrpeper'i primely mieeian ii to 'Cover II* Newt of Northeeetem Ohio comprchenrively, frirtv. end accurately " '' ?'S*' Darkness ?mH| *A1b? *OmMp? *Q?wI>r< *ColwRb?? *E>y?U *U??to *>fcnflel?l ?Obertin 'lUvguih *SmfcMfcy 'Wmtvh *Yo-JnBown *<t Northem Ohio VOL, J AUGUST 8, 1998 THRU AUGUST 15, 1WN SECTION A 25 CENTS PER COPY Afrocentric Principal Explains Concept by Bob Deitchman Ray Johnson, principal of the Paul Robeson Academy in Detroit began his talk to the Akron Community by laying out the covcncnt that is reached between parents and the academy The covcnent is a solemn agreement bv the parent to actively support the education of their child by working 111 an empowered way with all constituencies to collaboratively provide qualitative African-centered education in a positive environment The parent component and its success was one of the things that impressed the 90 people attending the workshop at East Akron Community House Johnson explained that African centered education in the Detroit public schools is based upon the research that all humans have their physical, social and intellectual origins in Africa The child is placed and grounded at "this center" and through an inclusionary process, all representative groups arc placed not above or below any group, but alongside the rest of humanity as events and truth dictate. The Akron Public Schools, in developing the strategic plan included the development of an Afroccntric school in the Akron Public Schools Proponents of such a school argue that this is an opportunity to have a school that concentrates on raising self esteem and produces productive citizens. Robeson school has approximately 560 boys and girls enrolled through the fifth grade. The schools curriculum is similar to that of the rest of the Detroit public schools emphasizing basics with teachers including contributions of black when and where possible. The mission statement as shared by Johnson, indicated that the Paul Robeson Academy is founded on the belief, whereby the responsibility for educating Continued to Page 3 Principal Ray Johnson of Detroit recently addressed community leaders about the Afroccntric School. Shown is Judy Beverly, Principal Ray Johnson, and Akron School Board member Helen Arnold. Bill To Raise Incomes Of Public Housing Residents Criticized by Dalia Dangcrfield An amendment to raise income levels of people eligible for public housing would leave millions of low income residents with little access to aflordablc living. Housing Secretary Andrew Cuomo said. In the country's capitol, the House of Representatives have been battling over this piece of legislation, H.R.2, for four years The bill would raise the income to $40,000 per family to promote mixed income living. Recently, the House voted on an amendment that would add the legislation to the HUD appropnations bill This amendment to H R 4194 was denied in a vote, 230-181 "The more people see and hear about this bill, the less they like it and opposition to it grows," Cuomo said "In an apparent cfTbrt to have 'mixed income' in public housing the House bill would make almost two million senior and children virtually homeless" With year-long waiting lists and no public housing being built for the thousands who need it, the bill would prove disastrous, Cuomo insisted He said it would leave those lower income people on a waiting list forever "We have the highest need of affordable housing in history and we have the lowest production in history," Cuomo said. "In the name of mixed income, to leave lower income people out in the cold makes no sense " In Chicago, there are 151,000 low-income families who pay more than half of their salaries for housing and arc in desperate need of assistance, according to a report issued by Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) This shows that the need for affordable housing is greater than ever, Cuomo said. But H.R 2 would give greater priority to people making as much as $40,000 to be admitted to public housihg Last year, the Clinton administration opposed the bill and the president said he would veto it if the piece of legislation came to him for a signature 'The Administration's position is an intelligent balance which would allow mixed income in public housing and provide for the most vulnerable with Section 8 vouchers for cv^ cry lower-income family displaced from the waiting list," Cuomo said. "Raising the income levels is a nice idea, but not until you can answer the question of what do you do with the people you bypass Prade's Trial Ta Ga Fsrta oi Both Clams By Lara Watkins The court ruling is in. Both aggravated murder and u iretapping charges will be heard simultaneously in the upcoming Aug. 24 trial of former Akron police Capt. Douglas E Pradc. who is allegedly charged with lite Nov . 26 shooting death of his ex-wife. Dr Margo S Prade On July. 20. Common Pleas Judge Mary F. Spiccr denied defense attorney Kerry O'Brien's motion to separate into two distinct trials the murder and wiretapping charges flicd against Prade. O'Brien argued that the fifth degree wiretapping charges which allegedly look place from Oct. - Dee 1996 just before the doctor filed for divorce in January. 1997 and the murder of Dr Prade last Thanksgiving Eve. 11 months later, were unrelated matters, and that evidence and testimony from the wiretapping issue -- in the same trial -- could prejudice the jura's decision as to Pradc's innocence or guilt of his former wife's murder Prosecutors argued that the evidence collected supported the inclusion of the wiretapping charges, citing the wiretap evidence "will help establish the Defendant as the perpetrator of the murder, as well as his molive: possession, jealousy and control." They also contended that the evidence will show "a course of continuing criminal conduct" by Prade which resulted in murder Spiccr ruled that in umo u is permissible to combine ofTcnscs into one trial if the crimes show Continued to Page 10 What Is African-Centered Education? by Ms. Jean Calhoun Definition from the Paul Robeson Academy in Detroit is "Afrocentric Education is an education that centers students of African descent in their historical experiences It is based on research that all humans have their physical, social, and intellectual origins in Africa. The child is placed and grounded "at this center" aiMk through an inclusionary process all representative groups arc placed not above or below any group, but alongside the rest of humanity as events and truth dictate. The mission statement at Paul Robeson Academy is: "The Paul Robeson Academy is chartered lo provide high quality educational services and experiences through a multidimensional approach It is .an African-ccntcrcd curriculum of truth and harmony which seeks to empower students with a proud sense of self, positive expectations, character development, values and academic excellence." Why an African Centered school is needed: 1. The high rale of suspensions and expulsions of African American students and 2 The low scores for the Ohio Proficiency Tests. Oiilv 17% of the fourth and sixth grade students who took the Ohio Proficiency test passed all parts. Children in elementary school attend school 93% of the time. The methods used in the Af rican centered schools in Detroit and Washington D.C have proven results The Comprehensive Test of Basic Skills at the Paul Robeson Academy is 80% There are 6.000 students on the waiting list. Parents arc the children's first teachers and should instill in their children the value of education. Parents should provide the tools of education to succeed in life. Some parents don't have good parenting skills and should be taught This is where the whole community comes to the aid of parents, especially teen parents using the village conceptParents, teachers, schools, and community should all share m the responsibility for quality education for all children. Bob Chase. President of the National Education Association spoke Continued to Page 3 LEON BROWN HONORED AT CSU COLLEGE OF BUSINESS RECOGNITION BANQUET Leon Brown of Akron, Ohio wai one or tne students recognized at the Annual College of Business and Industry Awards and Recognition Banquet at Central State University. Brown received an Ohio Space Grant, Stars Minority Research Scholarship, and the American Business Women's Scholarship. SENATOR ROBB AMENDMENT ADVANCES BLACK FARMERS CASE Two amendments attached to the U.S. Senate Agriculture {Appropriations Bill by U.S. Senator Charles Robb (D) Virginia ?and passed on the floor of the Senate July 23, should move the Blade Fanners discrimination complaints closer to resolution, says a spokesman of the Black Fanners and Agriculturists Association (BFAA) The first amendment put ut a set of credit reforms that Black Farmers have tons advocated but were unable to win until recently. The legislation in effect reverses provisions of the 1996 Farm Bill, which outlines severe restrictions on USD A borrowers who accepted debt write downs or forgiveness as a provision of primary loan servicing. The new legislation would lift many of those restrictions. The second amendment waived the foderal statute of limitatiotis wider Equal Credit Opportunity Act for formers and applicants to USD A's ntml housing programs who have discrimination complaints becklogped in the Department's Civil Rights Division. The Robb amendments have sent a tremendous signal to small minority formers nationwide after a year of struggle to resolve these problems," said the BFAA. CLINTON ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEW INITIATIVES TO IMPROVE NURSING HOME CARE On July 21, the Clinton Administration announced a new nursing home care initiative to provide enhanced psutoulont for nursing home residents and to target specific needed iamraweaeent in nursing home care. Health an id Hnmaa Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala also released aaindmrendsnt report showing progress since strong nursing hoaee eafbrcsmeat regafobaus tookeflect in 1995. However, she said additional stspa must now be taken to address remaining problem ansa. 1>e initiative Includes tougher enforamentof Medicare asui Medicaid rules with strengthened oversight of mining home quality astd ssfoty Particular efforts will be aimed at preventing instances of bedsores, dehydration and nutrition problems, "dfo must ensure Oat all Americans can rely on quality, coinpeseltaiass tarn whoa ihrj or a loved one requires nursing home care," Secretary Shalala mid. To that end, nursing homes found guilty of a second Ifomae for violations that harm residents will fios sanctions without a grace period to allow them to correct problems and avoid penalties. Nursing home inflections will also bercsrdurindmsituu^uafr for repeat offimders with serious violations. laepectiesifoUaHNi be staggered, with a set amount done on vrmfcsudsaadusatifctl. The states also have a stake in the prQoeas: Hmfth Care Plaaar other asristanceto irupectots instates*that are noMrtiipuaslj protecting residcntsHCFA ^l^nB^snw^QffoMBrlegislative authority to help Institute fosse rrafStag heme earn IMdiiftftrata, . i iv -r1.11 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISSUES REPORT ON THE WELL-BEING OF THE NATION'S CHILDREN The federal government has issued its second annual report on the well-being of America's 70 million children. The report, "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being," offers a portrait of the" nation's children, providing information on critical aspects of their lives, including their health, economic security, education, behavior and social environment. "The report provides an understanding of the promises and challenges confronting our nation's young people and guides us in canng for them,' said {Catherine Whitman, chief statistician of the Office of Management and Budget. According to the report children, from infancy through adolescence, are off to a" healthier start In many ways. "We have some good progress to report-more children are surviving their fust year of urn, with in?mt mortality at an all-time historic low," said Duane Alexander, M.D., director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. A majority of parents reported their children to be in good or excellent health. Moreover, fewer young children andadoiescems are dying and 77 percent of toddlers are up-to-date on their immunizations. However, the number of children without health insurance increased in 1996 to 10.6 million children, up from 9.8 million in 199S. The was no significant change in the number of children living in poverty. Children under 18 still represent 40 percent of the population in poverty, even thougn they comprise aboul one-quarter of the total U.S. population. ANNAN SENDS ENVOY TO ANGOLA NEW YORK, (PANA) ? As the resurgence of violence in Angola raises fears that the country may sfide back to war, UN Secretary Oenenl, Kofi Annan, hm despatched an envoy to the area ? impress on its leaders the arod io follow the path of pence Annan's spnknsnian. Prod Eckhard, said that the envoy, ufehdmBrahimi, former Algerian foreign minister, would also be traveling to neighboring countries to seek their oooperation in the search for peace in Angola. Brahimi is currentlyUN Under Secretary-General for special assignments in support of the secretary general's preventive and peace making efforts The trip will dfcrd him the opportunity to evaluate the situation in the country and advise the secretory general on the course of action, particularly about fbture UN presence in the country, the UN said hi attornment. The UN has a peacekeeping mission in Angola, cununth sealed down to about 90 military observers and support staff -Jerome Hole MARQUETTE STUDENT NAMED TO DEAN'S LIST MarqoMe University has announced the names of students who qualified for the dean's list for the spring 1998 semester. Named to the Dean's List was Katheriae S. Hoinriri of Fairlawn, a sophomore in the College of Communication STRIKE FORCES GOODYEAR TO LAY OFF S80 EMPLOYEES Theorems! Moms mike effected Goodyear The A Rubber Ol to lay off employees at ha Tyler, Tbias and PayetteviUe, NC gams andposriWy at Oodaden, Alabama plant. Chuck Sinclair, Oorehwmmiijjimi mil, noted that the 6M strike cut Goodyear workers in Flint, Michigan idled the Black Fire Fighters Insulted By Akron Promotion Plans The people of the City of Akron and members of the Akron Fire Department and most notably members of the United Black Fire Fighters have been insulted to make a plain and simple statement An act has taken place on the fire department that involves promotions that is inexcusable, reprehensible and egregious to many members that have witnessed this act As firefighters we have to go into situations which arc chaotic, dangerous and sometimes hot to bring them back into order We are usually going into buildings or events in which most people are running away We take an oath to do our very best to try to mitigate circumstances that arc going down hill fast Our challenge is to arrive quickly, make a size up of the situation and to use the best means we have to bring that situation under control. In our rules and regulations we are to give our best effort and not shirk any responsibility in doing our jobs Our rules also state that the officers must be fair and equitable in the discharge of their duties and not enhance or diminish any of the credit due to a fire fighter. I believe these rules apply to fire administrators as well This is why we can not understand why members who have done exceptionally well on the fire captain's exam were passed over. By fire department rules I can't state their names, I can only refer to them by their candidate number The members involved have been trying to get an answer to w hy they were passed over for a promotional exam to the rank of captain The answer has not been forth coming from the department as of this date so the matter must be taken outside of the department because the department is trying to satisfy these men with rhetorical an swcrs and that will not do Let me give you a glimpse of what has happened thus far with the captai ns exam that was given on the 15th and 16th of January 1998. An exam was administered that had several components such as a written test, in basket, subordinate counseling, and situational exercises In many of the company officer manuals and management materials written about the fire service it is widely understood that the best predictor of who will make a good officer is the fire ground scenario and the in basket, these are commonly called the assessment center activities. The reason for this is that it requires the candidate to think on his feet and respond to real life situations in a recorded interview. The recorded interview is then graded by impartial officers that have attained the rank of captain or higher because they have already demonstrated the skills which they arc grading It also relieves the Akron Fire Department of any claims of biases or favoritism that have a tendency to creep into the grading process, if people grading the candidates have a history with them on the department The results were posted on I March 6, 1998 and the test is I good for two years so the list is ' good until March 6, 2000. Un- i less there is a lawsuit to prevent promotions there is usually a ceremony to present the new I captains to the public very soon after the list is established I There was a delay, which let ev- 1 cryonc know there was some- i thing amiss but we had no idea \ of what because there was no le- i gal challenge to the test. In fact i many were very happy with the test because it had diversity and < a mix of younger and more sc- i nior officers on it when it was published. ! Now the insult The actual i promotional list was published and 4 out of the top 10 on the list were passed over in favor of people that had not done as well This means that the department used 60% of what the officers from other departments graded as successful candidates This is a failing grade anywhere you go in the country Why did the city use taxpayers good money to disregard the advice of the experts in the field? To make matters even worse the #3, #4, and #8 candidates were removed from the eligibility list for no reason All have asked why they were removed and were given no reason They have appealed to Civil Service and were told that Civil Service had no jurisdiction in the matter If that is the case why have the candidates gone to Civil service for relief, the candidates may as well have written to the AAA (Akron Auto Association) The AAA would not have assisted in this situation cither. All of the candidates that were passed over have above average performance ratings The #3 candidate is a paramedic and EMS is 85% of the fire service The #4 candidate is a diver and has been a paramedic for 5 years and has worked on a combination company which handles both fire and EMS runs, which ever comes in first, after exiting the paramedic program The #4 candidate is on the hazardous materials team and has been trained as a safety officer The #4 candidate has ccrtificalions that compare to all that were promoted that did not score as well as the #4 candidate The 08 candidate opted to use his seniority to bid out of the paramedic program in November of 1997 and still has his paramedic unification. The #8 candidate was promoted to lieutenant in 1990 and he has worked in the administrative offices as well as in fire suppression, which is putting out fires on a daily basis The tfX candidate is uniquely qualified as a captain in the Fire Prevention Bureau because he was the only candidate interviewed with experience as an officer in fire prevention. A paramedic lieutenant has most of the powers of a captain now Paramedic lieutenants can have patients restrained or arrested The candidates passed over have taken extra classes to become more qualified for their respective positions and all they want to know is why they were passed over when they have done everything they were asked and out scored many other candidatesI must tell you about the #3 candidate who happens to be a minority The fire service in Akron has always had a problem "finding" qualified minorities to be promoted So it is more baffling to understand why he was passed over for captain He has IK years service in fire suppression. and 13 years as a paramedic He was promoted to lieutenant in 1991 He was then made house lieutenant, in charge of all the equipment in the station and this was a job previously held by the house captain until captains were removed from every station He has attended the National Fire Academy, the Ohio Fire Academy, and Bowling Green University to increase his knowledge of the fire service Most would say his aggressive attitude alone would be enough to get him a job but he placed #3 on the exam and his performance was ignored How can #3 ranking be invalid for him but a ranking higher have validity for those other candidates I personally know candidate #3 the best and can state a plethora of credentials besides what I have mentioned above Continued to Page 4

| Tri-C Students l^lped Welcome Der^y Champs ^ N ? ?lje SUpnrter tgjjf Your Reporter Newrpeper'i primely mieeian ii to 'Cover II* Newt of Northeeetem Ohio comprchenrively, frirtv. end accurately " '' ?'S*' Darkness ?mH| *A1b? *OmMp? *Q?wI>r< *ColwRb?? *E>y?U *U??to *>fcnflel?l ?Obertin 'lUvguih *SmfcMfcy 'Wmtvh *Yo-JnBown *e initiative Includes tougher enforamentof Medicare asui Medicaid rules with strengthened oversight of mining home quality astd ssfoty Particular efforts will be aimed at preventing instances of bedsores, dehydration and nutrition problems, "dfo must ensure Oat all Americans can rely on quality, coinpeseltaiass tarn whoa ihrj or a loved one requires nursing home care," Secretary Shalala mid. To that end, nursing homes found guilty of a second Ifomae for violations that harm residents will fios sanctions without a grace period to allow them to correct problems and avoid penalties. Nursing home inflections will also bercsrdurindmsituu^uafr for repeat offimders with serious violations. laepectiesifoUaHNi be staggered, with a set amount done on vrmfcsudsaadusatifctl. The states also have a stake in the prQoeas: Hmfth Care Plaaar other asristanceto irupectots instates*that are noMrtiipuaslj protecting residcntsHCFA ^l^nB^snw^QffoMBrlegislative authority to help Institute fosse rrafStag heme earn IMdiiftftrata, . i iv -r1.11 FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ISSUES REPORT ON THE WELL-BEING OF THE NATION'S CHILDREN The federal government has issued its second annual report on the well-being of America's 70 million children. The report, "America's Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being," offers a portrait of the" nation's children, providing information on critical aspects of their lives, including their health, economic security, education, behavior and social environment. "The report provides an understanding of the promises and challenges confronting our nation's young people and guides us in canng for them,' said {Catherine Whitman, chief statistician of the Office of Management and Budget. According to the report children, from infancy through adolescence, are off to a" healthier start In many ways. "We have some good progress to report-more children are surviving their fust year of urn, with in?mt mortality at an all-time historic low," said Duane Alexander, M.D., director of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. A majority of parents reported their children to be in good or excellent health. Moreover, fewer young children andadoiescems are dying and 77 percent of toddlers are up-to-date on their immunizations. However, the number of children without health insurance increased in 1996 to 10.6 million children, up from 9.8 million in 199S. The was no significant change in the number of children living in poverty. Children under 18 still represent 40 percent of the population in poverty, even thougn they comprise aboul one-quarter of the total U.S. population. ANNAN SENDS ENVOY TO ANGOLA NEW YORK, (PANA) ? As the resurgence of violence in Angola raises fears that the country may sfide back to war, UN Secretary Oenenl, Kofi Annan, hm despatched an envoy to the area ? impress on its leaders the arod io follow the path of pence Annan's spnknsnian. Prod Eckhard, said that the envoy, ufehdmBrahimi, former Algerian foreign minister, would also be traveling to neighboring countries to seek their oooperation in the search for peace in Angola. Brahimi is currentlyUN Under Secretary-General for special assignments in support of the secretary general's preventive and peace making efforts The trip will dfcrd him the opportunity to evaluate the situation in the country and advise the secretory general on the course of action, particularly about fbture UN presence in the country, the UN said hi attornment. The UN has a peacekeeping mission in Angola, cununth sealed down to about 90 military observers and support staff -Jerome Hole MARQUETTE STUDENT NAMED TO DEAN'S LIST MarqoMe University has announced the names of students who qualified for the dean's list for the spring 1998 semester. Named to the Dean's List was Katheriae S. Hoinriri of Fairlawn, a sophomore in the College of Communication STRIKE FORCES GOODYEAR TO LAY OFF S80 EMPLOYEES Theorems! Moms mike effected Goodyear The A Rubber Ol to lay off employees at ha Tyler, Tbias and PayetteviUe, NC gams andposriWy at Oodaden, Alabama plant. Chuck Sinclair, Oorehwmmiijjimi mil, noted that the 6M strike cut Goodyear workers in Flint, Michigan idled the Black Fire Fighters Insulted By Akron Promotion Plans The people of the City of Akron and members of the Akron Fire Department and most notably members of the United Black Fire Fighters have been insulted to make a plain and simple statement An act has taken place on the fire department that involves promotions that is inexcusable, reprehensible and egregious to many members that have witnessed this act As firefighters we have to go into situations which arc chaotic, dangerous and sometimes hot to bring them back into order We are usually going into buildings or events in which most people are running away We take an oath to do our very best to try to mitigate circumstances that arc going down hill fast Our challenge is to arrive quickly, make a size up of the situation and to use the best means we have to bring that situation under control. In our rules and regulations we are to give our best effort and not shirk any responsibility in doing our jobs Our rules also state that the officers must be fair and equitable in the discharge of their duties and not enhance or diminish any of the credit due to a fire fighter. I believe these rules apply to fire administrators as well This is why we can not understand why members who have done exceptionally well on the fire captain's exam were passed over. By fire department rules I can't state their names, I can only refer to them by their candidate number The members involved have been trying to get an answer to w hy they were passed over for a promotional exam to the rank of captain The answer has not been forth coming from the department as of this date so the matter must be taken outside of the department because the department is trying to satisfy these men with rhetorical an swcrs and that will not do Let me give you a glimpse of what has happened thus far with the captai ns exam that was given on the 15th and 16th of January 1998. An exam was administered that had several components such as a written test, in basket, subordinate counseling, and situational exercises In many of the company officer manuals and management materials written about the fire service it is widely understood that the best predictor of who will make a good officer is the fire ground scenario and the in basket, these are commonly called the assessment center activities. The reason for this is that it requires the candidate to think on his feet and respond to real life situations in a recorded interview. The recorded interview is then graded by impartial officers that have attained the rank of captain or higher because they have already demonstrated the skills which they arc grading It also relieves the Akron Fire Department of any claims of biases or favoritism that have a tendency to creep into the grading process, if people grading the candidates have a history with them on the department The results were posted on I March 6, 1998 and the test is I good for two years so the list is ' good until March 6, 2000. Un- i less there is a lawsuit to prevent promotions there is usually a ceremony to present the new I captains to the public very soon after the list is established I There was a delay, which let ev- 1 cryonc know there was some- i thing amiss but we had no idea \ of what because there was no le- i gal challenge to the test. In fact i many were very happy with the test because it had diversity and < a mix of younger and more sc- i nior officers on it when it was published. ! Now the insult The actual i promotional list was published and 4 out of the top 10 on the list were passed over in favor of people that had not done as well This means that the department used 60% of what the officers from other departments graded as successful candidates This is a failing grade anywhere you go in the country Why did the city use taxpayers good money to disregard the advice of the experts in the field? To make matters even worse the #3, #4, and #8 candidates were removed from the eligibility list for no reason All have asked why they were removed and were given no reason They have appealed to Civil Service and were told that Civil Service had no jurisdiction in the matter If that is the case why have the candidates gone to Civil service for relief, the candidates may as well have written to the AAA (Akron Auto Association) The AAA would not have assisted in this situation cither. All of the candidates that were passed over have above average performance ratings The #3 candidate is a paramedic and EMS is 85% of the fire service The #4 candidate is a diver and has been a paramedic for 5 years and has worked on a combination company which handles both fire and EMS runs, which ever comes in first, after exiting the paramedic program The #4 candidate is on the hazardous materials team and has been trained as a safety officer The #4 candidate has ccrtificalions that compare to all that were promoted that did not score as well as the #4 candidate The 08 candidate opted to use his seniority to bid out of the paramedic program in November of 1997 and still has his paramedic unification. The #8 candidate was promoted to lieutenant in 1990 and he has worked in the administrative offices as well as in fire suppression, which is putting out fires on a daily basis The tfX candidate is uniquely qualified as a captain in the Fire Prevention Bureau because he was the only candidate interviewed with experience as an officer in fire prevention. A paramedic lieutenant has most of the powers of a captain now Paramedic lieutenants can have patients restrained or arrested The candidates passed over have taken extra classes to become more qualified for their respective positions and all they want to know is why they were passed over when they have done everything they were asked and out scored many other candidatesI must tell you about the #3 candidate who happens to be a minority The fire service in Akron has always had a problem "finding" qualified minorities to be promoted So it is more baffling to understand why he was passed over for captain He has IK years service in fire suppression. and 13 years as a paramedic He was promoted to lieutenant in 1991 He was then made house lieutenant, in charge of all the equipment in the station and this was a job previously held by the house captain until captains were removed from every station He has attended the National Fire Academy, the Ohio Fire Academy, and Bowling Green University to increase his knowledge of the fire service Most would say his aggressive attitude alone would be enough to get him a job but he placed #3 on the exam and his performance was ignored How can #3 ranking be invalid for him but a ranking higher have validity for those other candidates I personally know candidate #3 the best and can state a plethora of credentials besides what I have mentioned above Continued to Page 4